The Philosophy of Composition

The method of composition ( The Philosophy of Composition ) is an essay by Edgar Allan Poe, in which he developed an aesthetic theory of the goal and the method of literature. The essay first appeared in 1846 in Graham 's Magazine. He influenced modern poetry, especially the French Symbolism.

Similar literary theoretical considerations expressed Poe already in his review of Twice Told Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This appeared in April and May 1842 also in Graham 's Magazine. In addition, some central ideas of the Philosophy of Composition in Poe 's influential essay also recorded the poetic principle ( Publ 1850 The Poetic Principle ) again.

Content

Poe illustrated by means of his poem The Raven by way of example, that the "unity of effect" ( " unity of effect" ), the length, and the logical structure of a literary work for its aesthetic value of emphasis, of importance are.

Length

Poe believed that all literary works should be short. Can not be read without a work stoppage, as may be caused by the distractions of everyday life no "unity of effect". Specifically, it shall in the (own) poetry. However, he also mentions that the short story the novel is superior for this reason. Very long poems, as exemplarily illustrated by Milton's Paradise Lost, he speaks through his assertion is not any quality: It would appear that this is merely a stringing together short poems, which, despite the length enables a "unity of effect".

Method

Poe believes that the process of good writing methodical, analytical and precise does not proceed spontaneously or intuitively. The genesis of his poem The Raven he compares with the solution to a mathematical problem. Other authors, however, this would rarely admit as this process of creating a work is rather ingloriously.

Unity of effect ( " unity of effect" )

The emotional effect that the literary work to exercise to the reader, is of central importance for Poe. The author should always be aware of what effect it will strive for readers and it should ( inter alia, in the plot, the characters and motives) pursue this goal at all levels of the work. For Poe, the death of a beautiful woman Represents the most effective poetic motif